Management of stable COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a systemic disease with major impact worldwide. In the treatment of COPD a holistic approach should be taken. In order to reach this, an individual treatment plan should be made which includes at least elements of smoking cessation, optimisation of pulmonary status by pharmacotherapy and exercise embedded in a new lifestyle. Furthermore, more research on nutritional and metabolic intervention strategies for COPD patients is needed. With the availability of all these treatment options, a nihilistic attitude toward the patient with COPD is no longer justified.